Nationals provide apt model for Porter to follow with Astros

ST. LOUIS — As Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and 2013 manager Bo Porter plan to remake a team that twice has lost a hundred-plus games into what they hope will be a playoff contender, they could do far worse than following the example set by Porter’s current employer.

After losing 205 games in 2008-09, after all, the Washington Nationals looked a lot like the Astros look now.

Sunday, by contrast, the Nats can clinch the National League East with a win or an Atlanta Braves loss, and they are neck-and-neck with the Cincinnati Reds for the best record in the National League.

Porter, in his second season as Nationals third-base coach, last week cited Washington’s reliance on homegrown talent as a pattern to emulate.

Thirteen players on the current roster, including back-to-back No. 1 picks righthander Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper, came through the draft.

Luhnow’s determination to build through the farm system is one of the things that attracted Porter, 40, to the job, he said in a conference call last week. (Porter has been placed off-limits for interviews regarding the Astros for the balance of the regular season and playoffs and was not available to elaborate during the Nats’ weekend series against the Cardinals.)

“That was one of the things that drew me,” Porter said last week. “We’re on the same page.”

Assembling the talent, of course, will fall to Luhnow, much as Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has retooled the Nationals since his hiring in March 2009.

But Luhnow and owner Jim Crane believe Porter can mold the Astros on the field in the same fashion Davey Johnson has helped make winners out of the Nationals this season.

“You’ve got to go back to the manager,” said Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina, whose tenure with the organization dates to its days as the Montreal Expos.

“(Johnson) put the situation together. Putting the lineup together and doing what it takes to win: That has been the key.”

It helped that Washington hit double gold with its back-to-back No. 1 picks in Strasburg and Harper.

But six others on the roster were picked in the first three rounds, including starting pitchers Ross Detwiler and Jordan Zimmermann and reliever Drew Storen, who is recovering from injuries this year after recording 43 saves in 2011.

Good team chemistry
Storen, though, credits team chemistry as the critical difference between the 80-win Nationals of 2011 and this year’s team.

“There were (younger players) who came in the last couple of years and then the veteran guys that Mike Rizzo brought in this year,” he said. “It started in spring training, and everyone knew there was a different vibe in the clubhouse.

“That is where it starts. It starts in here, and it translates out there.”

Porter said last week he thinks teams that feature homegrown players are more invested in organizational success than teams made of primarily transients, and Storen buys in to that concept.

“Everybody is doing it for a greater purpose,” he said. “Our camaraderie is unparalleled on any team I’ve been on, period, on any level, anywhere.

“We have the talent, no question, but talent is relative. It’s about teams that go out and play for each other and the difference that can make.”

With a solid core of young players in place, Rizzo traded for pitcher Gio Gonzalez, who leads the majors with 21 wins, and added free agents Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche (32 homers, 99 RBIs), and journeyman Mark DeRosa, who has played on 10 teams with the Braves, Cubs, Cardinals and Giants advancing to the playoffs.
Young talent

“With all these homegrown guys, for sheer baseball talent, this is one of the best teams I’ve been on in terms of guys at such a young age being able to do so much,” DeRosa said. “The entire starting rotation hitting 94, 95 mph on a regular basis, it’s impressive.

“Good teams are always similar. It’s based on great pitching, power arms and good, young ballplayers that come together at the right time.”

Three years removed from the National League basement, the Nationals are nearing the end of 2012 in somewhat uncertain fashion; they are 16-11 for September after Saturday night’s 6-4, 10-inning win over the wild card-contending Cardinals.

But they were wiped out 12-2 by the Cards on Friday night.

And Porter, at least, said last week he is determined to ensure his hiring by the Astros will not be a distraction.

But if they limp to the finish line or win out, the Nationals, even with Strasburg shut down for the playoffs 25 months removed from reconstructive elbow surgery, are built to contend for a championship.

Notable blueprint
“Power arms, great bullpen, guys who can hit the ball out of the park — it’s a team geared to win in the postseason,” DeRosa said.

And it’s an example that others might do well to emulate,” Storen said. “You would think so. It would be a good goal to become that team where people say, hey, we want to be like them.”

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

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OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 15: Manager Bo Porter (L) of the Houston Astros signals the bullpen to make a pitching change taking Paul Clemens (C) out of the game against the Oakland Athletics in the six inning at O.co Coliseum on April 15, 2013 in Oakland, California. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 15: Manager Bo Porter (L) of the Houston Astros signals the bullpen to make a pitching change taking Paul Clemens (C) out of the game against the Oakland Athletics in the six inning at ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

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HOUSTON, TX - JULY 24: Bud Norris #20 of the Houston Astros gets a hug from manager Bo Porter after being taken out of the game in the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on July 24, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) less

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 24: Bud Norris #20 of the Houston Astros gets a hug from manager Bo Porter after being taken out of the game in the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on July ... more

Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images

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(l-r) Legendary Astros Broadcaster Milo Hamilton talks with the new manager of the Houston Astros Bo Porter. The Houston Astros honored Milo Hamilton Tuesday October 16, 2012, during the Blue Star Gala saluting Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The gala was a gathering of many former Major League stars that wanted to honor the work of Hamilton. (Billy Smith II / Houston Chronicle) less

Portrait of Houston Astros new manager Bo Porter and his wife Stacey in Minute Maid Park Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, in Houston.
Porter's wife, Stacey Erwin-Porter, is a graduate of Westbury High School, the couple has established the Bo Porter Self Foundation and Bo Porter also coached a select baseball team, the Texas Hawkeyes, in 2005 and 2006.
( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle ) less

Portrait of Houston Astros new manager Bo Porter and his wife Stacey in Minute Maid Park Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, in Houston.
Porter's wife, Stacey Erwin-Porter, is a graduate of Westbury High School, the ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter waves to the crowd from a convertible during the 19th Annual MLK Grande Parade by the MLK Parade Foundation, which started on San Jacinto and Rosalie Streets in Midtown, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter waves to the crowd from a convertible during the 19th Annual MLK Grande Parade by the MLK Parade Foundation, which started on San Jacinto and Rosalie Streets in Midtown, ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) talks with GM Jeff Luhnow as they watch pitchers throw at the Oseola County Stadium, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Kissimmee, as pitchers and catchers get their first official workout completed on the first day of spring training. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) talks with GM Jeff Luhnow as they watch pitchers throw at the Oseola County Stadium, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Kissimmee, as pitchers and catchers get their first ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) signs autographs for fans at the Oseola County Stadium, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Kissimmee, as pitchers and catchers get their first official workout completed on the first day of spring training. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) signs autographs for fans at the Oseola County Stadium, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Kissimmee, as pitchers and catchers get their first official workout completed on the ... more

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) gives a pep talk at the end of day two of spring training workouts at the Osceola County Stadium, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Kissimmee. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) gives a pep talk at the end of day two of spring training workouts at the Osceola County Stadium, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Kissimmee. ( Karen Warren / Houston ... more

Comedian Domingo Ayala takes out the lineup card for Houston Astros manager Bo Porter before an 11-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a spring training exhibition game on Sunday, March 17, 2013, in Kissimmee, Fla. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Comedian Domingo Ayala takes out the lineup card for Houston Astros manager Bo Porter before an 11-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a spring training exhibition game on Sunday, March 17, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter watches from the dugout during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs at Minute Maid Park on Friday, March 29, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter watches from the dugout during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs at Minute Maid Park on Friday, March 29, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) walks back to the dugout after he argued a call with umpire Andy Fletcher during the first inning of Opening Day at Minute Maid Park,Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) walks back to the dugout after he argued a call with umpire Andy Fletcher during the first inning of Opening Day at Minute Maid Park,Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Houston. ( ... more

Reid Ryan the Astros' new President of Business Operations, chats with manager Bo Porter during batting practice before the start of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Reid Ryan the Astros' new President of Business Operations, chats with manager Bo Porter during batting practice before the start of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in Houston. ( Karen ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter looks out over the field after relief pitcher Jose Veras was injured trying to field a ground ball by Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney during the tenth inning at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, July 4, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter looks out over the field after relief pitcher Jose Veras was injured trying to field a ground ball by Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney during the tenth inning at ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16), right, talks to Houston Astros starting pitcher Jarred Cosart (48) after he was taken out of the game in the sixth inning as the Astros played the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, in Houston. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16), right, talks to Houston Astros starting pitcher Jarred Cosart (48) after he was taken out of the game in the sixth inning as the Astros played the Boston Red Sox at ... more

Home Plate umpire Mark Carlson throws out Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) after he argued a call as the Astros lost to the Boston Red Sox 7-5 at Minute Maid Park Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, in Houston. ( ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Astros manager Bo Porter embraces Wanda Shannon, who will throwing the first pitch at the Astros vs. Rangers game, at Minute Maid Park on May 12, 2014, in Houston Tx. Shannon has stage 4 cancer, and it has spread all over her body. She was a runner up for the MLB At Bat Against Cancer & Honorary Bat Girl Contest, but didn't win. Despite not winning the contest, the Houston Astros have extended an invitation for her to throw the opening pitch and enjoy field access. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Astros manager Bo Porter embraces Wanda Shannon, who will throwing the first pitch at the Astros vs. Rangers game, at Minute Maid Park on May 12, 2014, in Houston Tx. Shannon has stage 4 cancer, and it has ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) during the National Anthem before the start of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter (16) during the National Anthem before the start of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 13: Bo Porter #16 of the Houston Astros talks with reporters before playing the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park on August 13, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 13: Bo Porter #16 of the Houston Astros talks with reporters before playing the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park on August 13, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images

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SEATTLE, WA - MAY 24: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by manager Bo Porter #16 after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on May 24, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) less

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 24: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by manager Bo Porter #16 after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Frank Robinson, Hall of Famer, MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Development, Jim Crane, Astros Owner an Chairman, Annise Parker, Mayor, City of Houston and Bo Porter, Houston Astros manager, announce that the Houston Astros will host the 2014 Civil Rights Game against the Baltimore Orioles May 30, 2014 during a press conference at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Nov.19, 2013 in Houston. (Bob Levey/For The Chronicle) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter is thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, left, during the fifth inning against Oakland Athletics of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter is thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, left, during the fifth inning against Oakland Athletics of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Tony Avelar / Associated Press

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard, left, is taken out of the game by manager Bo Porter during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 8, 2013. Astros catcher Jason Castro is at right. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) less

Houston Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard, left, is taken out of the game by manager Bo Porter during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, ... more

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter, right, talks to home plate umpire Chris Conroy, left, about the condition of the pitchers mound during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) less

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter, right, talks to home plate umpire Chris Conroy, left, about the condition of the pitchers mound during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays ... more

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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Bud Norris was proud of the vintage Bo Jackson T-shirts he found before presenting one to manager Bo Porter, right

Bud Norris was proud of the vintage Bo Jackson T-shirts he found before presenting one to manager Bo Porter, right

Photo: handout

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Family photos of Bo Porter and his family, including his mother, for Astros feature for Mother's Day. Real captions to come from writer. Credit family for photos.

Family photos of Bo Porter and his family, including his mother, for Astros feature for Mother's Day. Real captions to come from writer. Credit family for photos.